MI- Chapter 10

When using the MI theory there is always going to be the question of evaluation and assessment. The MI theory is one that proposes a fundamental restructuring of the way in which educators view students’ learning. There are so many ways in which students will learn and teachers will teach, therefore really engaging students as well as getting to know their “minds” is crucial. There are many varieties of assessment, the first of these being the most obvious, observation. What better way to address a students’ learning level then to watch them and see how they understand the material and interact with other students. Another important component of assessment is documentation such as anecdotal records, work samples, audio cassettes, videotapes, photography, student journals, student-kept charts, sociograms, informal tests, informal use of standardized tests, and student interviews. Other ideas include criterion-referenced assessments, classroom maps, and calendar records. There have been several projects that have attempted to create models of assessment similar with the fundamental theory of MI such programs are Project Spectrum, the Key Learning Community, the PIFS (Practical Intelligence for School) and the Arts PROPEL program.

Assessment can happen at every level of the eight intelligences, meaning that students can demonstrate their learning in almost any way possible. There is also the idea of assessment in context meaning that both the manner of presentation and the method of response will be important in determining a student’s understanding. The need to provide students with good assessment experiences and access to a variety of presentation will determine the output by the students. Another way to assess is a portfolio which can then be used in five different ways, celebration, cognition, communication, cooperation, and competency. The MI theory provides an assessment framework for which students can have their knowledge and work acknowledged and appreciated. As a teacher I hope that I can always be fair to my students. These different ways of looking at each intelligence, then assessing them is crucial to helping students develop their own skills. Appreciating and acknowledging students’ gifts and creativity is what will make them strive to continue on that path of succeeding.